“Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever.”

Devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Frank Sena of Raritan Township, and formerly of Branchburg and Newark, entered into eternal rest on August 2, 2024.

Frank was born in Newark, NJ, on September 19,1943, to Mary and Frank Sena. He spent his childhood and teen years playing hours of baseball in Vailsburg Park. Frank graduated from Essex Catholic High School and Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts. Upon graduation, he secured a job working for the NJ Department of Labor, managing an unemployment office. He remained a state employee for his entire career and was one of the longest tenured employees in state history when he retired after 48 years of service.

Family was the center of Frank’s life. He cared more about everyone else than himself and was always available to help with any project that needed to be completed. Being a jack of all trades, he was often tinkering with cars or building something, whether it be a deck, a basement, or a wine cellar. Frank’s wife, children, and grandchildren knew they were his world, and he was always willing to go above and beyond for them. Unwavering help or advice was just a phone call away.

Besides spending time with his family, he enjoyed playing cards and going to the casino. He even taught his grandkids how to play poker and blackjack. Frank also enjoyed spending time with his friends, reminiscing about old times and telling stories and jokes. He had a great sense of humor, making everyone laugh and was always the life of the party. Frank loved to dance and spent hours at weddings and parties dancing with his wife, whom he loved dearly. Coincidentally, Frank and Marie’s first date occurred when he asked her to a winter dance at his high school.  He was only 17 years old, and she was a mere 15 years old.

Frank loved all cars: sports cars, classic cars, muscle cars and spent many hours under the hoods, making sure his family always had safe cars to drive. If anyone ever had car trouble, the first call was to Frank instead of a tow truck or mechanic. He would come to the rescue no matter what and could fix almost any problem. Oil changes were always done in the driveway and never at the dealership.

In addition, Frank loved animals, especially his cherished German Shepard, Duke. His favorite story was how Duke bit his mother-in-law, and how funny the doctors thought that was.

Frank was proud of his Italian heritage. Picking tomatoes for his mother-in-law to make “gravy” and making wine using old barrels and presses in his in-laws’ garage were traditions for many years. Years later, Frank recreated that wine making experience at a wine-making facility. He enlisted the whole family to help, and of course there was plenty of wine to share with everyone.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marie; his son, Frank Jr. (Carolyn) Sena; his daughters, Carolyn (Dave) Bowden and Andrea (Jordan) Schwarz; his six grandchildren; Leslie, Francesca, Carson, Chase, Zachary, and Cody; and many dear friends and family.

Frank will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Frank will lie in repose on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 5:00-8:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. A catholic vigil service will take place at 7:30 p.m., followed by reflections from family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to go directly to church by 9:45 a.m. and follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Frank’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that those who wish to contribute in honor of Frank, please do so to the American Stroke Association online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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